Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volvo S90 review

The Volvo S90 is a decent alternative to large German execs, but a high list price may deter some buyers

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£63,670 - £68,420
  • Refined diesel engine
  • Strong safety kit
  • Plenty of standard kit
  • Ride can be harsh
  • Slow-witted auto
  • Quality compared to Germans
Find your Volvo S90
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Volvo S90 is the company's best crack yet at taking on the dominant German brands in the premium executive saloon sector. The Swedish sophistication in the cabin makes it an appealing environment in which to undertake long journeys, although it's not as plush all round as a Mercedes E-Class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The real strengths of the S90 are its cruising refinement and, as is often the case with Volvo, the amount of safety kit on board. It also gets a decent haul of regular equipment, making the big exec one of the better-kitted offerings in an area of the market that traditionally has long options lists.

The driving dynamics aren’t on a par with the class benchmark, though; the S90 isn’t quite as agile as the likes of the 5 Series, and it doesn’t soak up bumps as effectively as an E-Class. And if you don’t want a plug-in hybrid, you’ll have to look elsewhere - it’s now the only available S90 powertrain.

About the Volvo S90

Volvo has been making credible rivals to large German executive cars such as the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series for years, and the S90 is a scion of a notable family of Swedish automotive success stories. Its ancestors include the 740 and 760 from the 1980s, the 940 and 960 in the ‘90s, and the S80 from the ‘noughties, all of which enjoyed widespread admiration. The S90 arrived around the middle of the last decade to a similarly warm reception but is now beginning to show its years. Still, thanks to Volvo’s trademark cool and contemporary interior design, and its effective Sensus infotainment set-up, there’s a lot to like about the S90 yet.

As with its illustrious forebears, the Volvo S90 rivals the cars from the premium German brands on price, but offers a slightly different take on the executive car genre. In the S90’s case it’s a less dynamic and more comfort-focused experience, and the big Swedish saloon is certainly a relaxing way to travel.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The range is now limited to the comfort-biased Inscription and sporty R-Design trim levels, but both offer good levels of standard equipment.

Volvo previously offered the S90 with a variety of engines, comprising of the D4 and D5 diesel, T4 and T5 petrol and T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid versions. All delivered a good spread of power, and helped the S90 compete against its rivals, which include the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6, plus the Jaguar XF and Lexus ES, which offer something different from the German norm.

However, from mid-2020, Volvo decided to limit the choice of S90 powertrains to just the range-topping T8 plug-in hybrid, which means you'll have to find over £56,000 in order to own one.

The S90 T8 unit delivers 300bhp from its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, while there's an 86bhp boost from the electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The system in total offers a claimed 0–62mph time of 5.1 seconds, and a maximum electric-only range of up to 37 miles.

Standard equipment for the S90 includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather upholstery, two-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle and a nine-inch infotainment system.

The R-Design trim adds an aggressive exterior styling pack, sports seats and privacy glass, while Inscription-spec cars include chrome trim, deeper-pile carpets and a massage function for the front seats.

If you're looking to buy a Volvo S90, why not visit our sister site buyacar.co.uk for the latest deals...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    2.0 T8 RC PHEV [455] Plus Dark 4dr AWD Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £63,670

Most Economical

  • Name
    2.0 T8 RC PHEV [455] Plus Dark 4dr AWD Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £63,670

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 T8 RC PHEV [455] Plus Dark 4dr AWD Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £63,670
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on S90

Show me:
Best used executive cars 2024
Best used executive cars - header image

Best used executive cars 2024

If you need a fast, comfortable and stylish set of wheels, these are the best used executive cars that the market has to offer
Best cars & vans
10 Jan 2024
Used Volvo S90 and V90 review
Volvo V90 used guide - front

Used Volvo S90 and V90 review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Volvo S90 and V90 covering the Mk1 (2017- date)
Used car tests
2 Mar 2021
BMW 5 Series vs Audi A6 vs Volvo S90
BMW 5 Series vs Audi A6 vs Volvo S90 - main

BMW 5 Series vs Audi A6 vs Volvo S90

Can plug-in hybrid power create a clear winner out of the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 or Volvo S90
Car group tests
23 Jan 2021
Volvo S90 loses petrol and diesel engines from line-up

Volvo S90 loses petrol and diesel engines from line-up

The flagship Volvo S90 saloon is now only available with the company’s range-topping, 385bhp T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain
News
9 Apr 2020
Lexus ES vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90
Lexus ES vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90 - header

Lexus ES vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90

Can the new hybrid Lexus ES make an impression on exec saloon big-hitters such as the BMW 5 Series and Volvo S90?
Car group tests
9 Mar 2019
BMW 530e vs Volvo S90 T8
BMW 530e vs Volvo S90 T8 - header

BMW 530e vs Volvo S90 T8

The new plug-in hybrid BMW 530e iPerformance faces an established electrified exec rival in the shape of the Volvo S90 T8
Car group tests
29 Dec 2018
Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90
Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90 - Header

Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S90

We pitch the new Audi A6 against the BMW 5 Series and Volvo S90 in exec saloon shoot-out
Car group tests
6 Oct 2018
Volvo S90 Ambience concept revealed
Volvo S90 Ambience concept - front

Volvo S90 Ambience concept revealed

Uprated sound system, bespoke perfume and visual interior effects for new plush S90 saloon
News
23 Apr 2018
Long-term test review: Volvo S90
Volvo S90 long-term - second report front

Long-term test review: Volvo S90

Final report: it’s time to say goodbye to our classy luxury Volvo S90 saloon, and we’re really going to miss it
Long-term tests
17 Apr 2018
Volvo S90 gets new entry-level petrol engine
Volvo S90 T4

Volvo S90 gets new entry-level petrol engine

The new T4 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder develops 187bhp and starts from £35,055
News
17 Nov 2017
New Volvo S90 Excellence revealed in China
Volvo S90 Excellence - show front

New Volvo S90 Excellence revealed in China

New Volvo S90 Excellence puts the driver in the back seat, and is part of the brand’s path to fully autonomous cars
News
2 Nov 2016
Skip advert
Advertisement
Polestar tweaks Volvo S90 and V90 with Performance Package
Volvo S90 Volvo V90 Polestar Performance Package

Polestar tweaks Volvo S90 and V90 with Performance Package

Tuning company fettles power output and improves drivetrain of the latest big Volvos
News
6 Sep 2016
New Volvo S90 saloon 2016 review
Volvo S90 saloon 2016 - side tracking

New Volvo S90 saloon 2016 review

We put the new Volvo S90 executive saloon through its paces, but should BMW, Audi and Mercedes be worried?
Road tests
15 Jul 2016
New Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design models unveiled
Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design - twin

New Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design models unveiled

New S90 and V90 R-Design models add racy touches to Volvo’s latest executive cars
News
22 Jun 2016
New Volvo S90 D4 2016 review
Volvo S90 - UK front

New Volvo S90 D4 2016 review

New Volvo S90 saloon hits the UK and we drive D4 best-seller to find out if it can cut it in the ultra competitive exec saloon sector
Road tests
9 Jun 2016
New Volvo S90 D5 2016 review
Volvo S90 saloon 2016 - front cornering

New Volvo S90 D5 2016 review

Diesel-powered Volvo S90 D5 oozes quality and is a serious contender in the large executive class
Road tests
3 Jun 2016
New 2016 Volvo S90: prices and specs revealed
Volvo S90 at Detroit Motor show

New 2016 Volvo S90: prices and specs revealed

Volvo reveals prices and specs for new BMW 5 Series rivalling S90 saloon
News
15 Mar 2016
Hybrid Volvo S90 Polestar and V90 Polestar on the way

Hybrid Volvo S90 Polestar and V90 Polestar on the way

Boss reveals new Volvo S90 and V90 are most likely candidates for electrified Polestar makeover
News
4 Mar 2016
Big Volvos to get small 1.5 3-cylinder engines
Volvo S90 - front static

Big Volvos to get small 1.5 3-cylinder engines

Volvo is developing a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine that could power entry-level versions of the S90, V90 and XC90
News
29 Feb 2016